Scientific Name: Senecio spp. (S. brasiliensis is described) (Asteraceae)

Common Name: maria-mole, tasneirinha, flor das almas

Description : Herbaceous perennial that is erect and highly branched with a smooth striated stem. Reaches 1-2 m in height. Found ubiquitously in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, and São Paulo.

The leaves are alternate and pinnately sected (lobed deeply to the midvein). The leaf underside is smoother while the upperside is hairy. Densely leaved at the apex.

The inflorescences are numerous capitulums (heads) arranged in dense corymbs. The flowers are yellow and there are two types: disc flowers which are have male and female parts in the same flower and ray flowers which are exclusively female.

The fruit is small and has white hairs that aid in wind dispersal.

Senecio brasiliensis has an erect growth pattern with many inflorescences